Perfect season ends in tragedy: high-schooler dies after game-winning shot

After a moment in the sun as the star of the game that sealed his team's 20-0 winning streak, Wes Leonard of Fennville High collapsed on the court and later died at the hospital Thursday night, according to Holland Hospital spokeswoman Deb Patterson. A cause of death has not yet been determined. UPDATE - The Detroit Free Press reports: "Cardiomyopathy killed Fennville basketball star." A condition he may not have known he had.

D.J. Geppert / The Holland Sentinel via AP

Fennville High School's Wes Leonard puts up the winning shot in a 57-55 win over Bridgman in Fennville, Mich.on March 3. Leonard collapsed on the court and later died after making the game-winning layup in overtime to cap his team's perfect season.

D.J. Geppert / The Holland Sentinel via AP

Teammates hoist Wes Leonard up after he made the game-winning basket on Thursday night, March 3, as the Fennville (Mich.) Blackhawks celebrate their victory against the Bridgman Bees, bringing their record to 20-0. Leonard collapsed on the court shortly afterward and died hours later at Holland Hospital.

D.J. Geppert / The Holland Sentinel via AP

Fans look on as paramedics tend to Fennville High School's Wes Leonard after Leonard collapsed on the court after making the game-winning layup in overtime against Bridgman, in Fennville, Mich., on March 3. The Michigan high school star later died.

"He had a great grin and was always cheerful. Younger kids throughout the community looked up to him and idolized him," Weeldreyer said. "Wes was strong and powerful. As the quarterback of our championship football team, he could throw a dart 40 yards down the field. He had the body of a linebacker, but brought the ball up the floor for our 20-0 basketball team."

A crowd reacts as paramedics work on Fennville High School basketball player Wes Leonard, after the Michigan high school star collapsed after making a game-winning layup in overtime to cap his team's perfect season, in Fennville, Mich., on March 3. Leonard later died.